The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
lawbooks600's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Representation: N/A?
Score: Seven points out of ten.
First, whoa. The next book is next year? It better be as good as the first. With that out of the way, the library I got this from purchased it a few months back, and afterwards, I finally got my hands on it. When I finished it, I thought it was impressive for a debut author, because it's rare for authors to impress me on the first try. This author did. This novel feels like Red Queen and even Graceling, and it's clear that some elements felt like The Hunger Games (which didn't matter or dampen my enjoyment anyway.) It starts with the main character Paedyn Gray (or Paedyn for short), but here's the catch: she's Ordinary, ever since the Plague hit which gifted some (now called the Elite) with powers, while killing others. When I think about it it's strange and it's not clear where the Plague first started; maybe the second instalment can explain. Only after a few pages, Paedyn is called to participate in the 6th trials while forming an attraction with Prince Kai (Are they meant for each other? It's not clear, but they got along well.) The second half spoke for itself (it's so good I have no words to describe it.) Other than the fact that Paedyn won the trials and started a revolution. And a cliffhanger. I'm speechless. Â
Score: Seven points out of ten.
First, whoa. The next book is next year? It better be as good as the first. With that out of the way, the library I got this from purchased it a few months back, and afterwards, I finally got my hands on it. When I finished it, I thought it was impressive for a debut author, because it's rare for authors to impress me on the first try. This author did. This novel feels like Red Queen and even Graceling, and it's clear that some elements felt like The Hunger Games (which didn't matter or dampen my enjoyment anyway.) It starts with the main character Paedyn Gray (or Paedyn for short), but here's the catch: she's Ordinary, ever since the Plague hit which gifted some (now called the Elite) with powers, while killing others. When I think about it it's strange and it's not clear where the Plague first started; maybe the second instalment can explain. Only after a few pages, Paedyn is called to participate in the 6th trials while forming an attraction with Prince Kai (Are they meant for each other? It's not clear, but they got along well.) The second half spoke for itself (it's so good I have no words to describe it.) Other than the fact that Paedyn won the trials and started a revolution. And a cliffhanger. I'm speechless. Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Full trigger warnings: Blood depiction, physical injury, assault and murder of a person, near-death experiencehey_mj's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had such a fun time reading this debut novel! While the world building and plot are pretty simple, the banter and flirting between the main characters is where this book shines. I'm interested to see how the stakes change for each of the characters in the next book after the ending we got!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Classism
Minor: Torture
theespressoedition's review against another edition
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Blood, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
kirstenpod_'s review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Murder, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Genocide, Cursing, Grief, Medical content, and Torture
Minor: Alcohol and Pandemic/Epidemic
taylormshipley's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Moderate: Murder and Torture
busra425's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Blood
olyviatb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is probably one of the best books I’ve ever read. It was the perfect combination of the hunger games meets the cruel prince meets acotar but all in a way that was unique to itself. I loved the world building, the lovable characters, the magic, the banter (especially the banter). It all went together so well and created a truly incredible story. I cannot wait until Reckless is out!Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Classism, Confinement, and Torture
Minor: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Confinement, and Grief
mercedesreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is book has completed destroyed me in every way possible and I'm so devastated that I can't read the next one just yet. I cried, I laughed, I smiled, and I felt e v e r y t h i n g in between. If you haven't read this book, don't walk — run to do go get it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Grief, and Gore
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, and Blood
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
hayleythegoose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Torture, Child abuse, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Murder, Violence, and Animal death
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, and Misogyny
Minor: Drug use and Child death
accidentalmuse's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I had a great time with this book, it's going to get a 3.75 stars from me, because while I enjoyed reading this book, I wouldn't necessarily say it was a great book from a literary point of view.
We follow two characters primarily in this novel - Paedyn, a homeless magic-less teenager, trying to get by; and Kai, the second son of the King, and future Enforcer of the kingdom. I loved both these characters, especially Kai and his brother Kitt. They were by far the best written characters, in my opinion. They were likeable, I could empathise with their struggles, and I was really rooting for them.
Pae was a fun character too, and the writing surrounding her definitely improved as the book went on, however, she did suffer from Mary Sue syndrome, which could be frustrating to read. Like girl, you're completely malnourished, yet you're a great fighter, and perfect at archery, and super observant, and stunningly beautiful etc. Don't get my wrong, she was a fun main character, but I think she would've been even better if she wasn't so perfect in each aspect of her character. The other thing that was annoying about Pae at first was how she kept blurting things out she didn't intend. It didn't seem like something her character would do - given she has to lie constantly, and also because of how she plays the psychic.
I read this book at the suggestion of a friend, I don't think I would've picked it up otherwise, because of the premise of the book. I knew there were going to be some Hunger Games similarities - and there certainly were. The book takes place in a Kingdom that hosts a set of trials twice a decade where young adults battle it out. I haven't read a book with such a premise since like 2014, but this exceeded my expectations. It's true that some of the eccentricities of the trials reminded me strongly of the Hunger Games, and made you question why anyone would do such things, but in general, I think the pace and the plot of this book were good.
The last act was definitely my favourite part of the book. The romantic tension between the main characters was really starting to come to a head, as was the plot. I knew that the last ~20% of the book was going to be what decided whether I liked this book or not. It definitely felt like the plot could go one of a few ways. It didn't go the way I expected, and it didn't even go the way I wanted, but I think it was a great way to lead into the rest of the series. It's a frustrating ending, but in a good way - we're rooting for characters to understand each other, for everything to work out, and well, it's fair to say it doesn't (otherwise this would be a standalone novel), and I wish I could read the second book now because that teaser chapter was everything.
In summary, this is a fun YA fantasy. It's pretty long, at 500 pages, but it gets more gripping as you progress through the story. There's a small love triangle element, but it's really focused on two main characters. Our protagonist, Pae, definitely suffers from Mary Sue syndrome and starts out quite one-dimensional, but she gets fleshed out as you go. Thankfully, Kitt and Kai are excellent right from page 1. This book was exciting, although some aspects seemed very classic YA. Overall I think Roberts has created a great sense of anticipation for the next book in the series, which I will be reading.
We follow two characters primarily in this novel - Paedyn, a homeless magic-less teenager, trying to get by; and Kai, the second son of the King, and future Enforcer of the kingdom. I loved both these characters, especially Kai and his brother Kitt. They were by far the best written characters, in my opinion. They were likeable, I could empathise with their struggles, and I was really rooting for them.
Pae was a fun character too, and the writing surrounding her definitely improved as the book went on, however, she did suffer from Mary Sue syndrome, which could be frustrating to read. Like girl, you're completely malnourished, yet you're a great fighter, and perfect at archery, and super observant, and stunningly beautiful etc. Don't get my wrong, she was a fun main character, but I think she would've been even better if she wasn't so perfect in each aspect of her character. The other thing that was annoying about Pae at first was how she kept blurting things out she didn't intend. It didn't seem like something her character would do - given she has to lie constantly, and also because of how she plays the psychic.
I read this book at the suggestion of a friend, I don't think I would've picked it up otherwise, because of the premise of the book. I knew there were going to be some Hunger Games similarities - and there certainly were. The book takes place in a Kingdom that hosts a set of trials twice a decade where young adults battle it out. I haven't read a book with such a premise since like 2014, but this exceeded my expectations. It's true that some of the eccentricities of the trials reminded me strongly of the Hunger Games, and made you question why anyone would do such things, but in general, I think the pace and the plot of this book were good.
The last act was definitely my favourite part of the book. The romantic tension between the main characters was really starting to come to a head, as was the plot. I knew that the last ~20% of the book was going to be what decided whether I liked this book or not. It definitely felt like the plot could go one of a few ways. It didn't go the way I expected, and it didn't even go the way I wanted, but I think it was a great way to lead into the rest of the series. It's a frustrating ending, but in a good way - we're rooting for characters to understand each other, for everything to work out, and well, it's fair to say it doesn't (otherwise this would be a standalone novel), and I wish I could read the second book now because that teaser chapter was everything.
In summary, this is a fun YA fantasy. It's pretty long, at 500 pages, but it gets more gripping as you progress through the story. There's a small love triangle element, but it's really focused on two main characters. Our protagonist, Pae, definitely suffers from Mary Sue syndrome and starts out quite one-dimensional, but she gets fleshed out as you go. Thankfully, Kitt and Kai are excellent right from page 1. This book was exciting, although some aspects seemed very classic YA. Overall I think Roberts has created a great sense of anticipation for the next book in the series, which I will be reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Murder and Death
Minor: Torture